Stoking and rearranging combustible matter of a fire

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed toward a system for stoking and arranging materials in a fire. An air flow generator is configured to flow air down a passage in a hollow rod that is configured to prod and rearrange the combustible matter of a burning fire. The hollow rod is durable enough to poke and reposition the combustible materials in a fire. While this poking and repositioning is occurring, air sent from the air flow generator is conducted at an outlet of the hollow rod, thereby stoking the flame burning the combustible matter while the combustible matter is also being poked and prodded at. The hollow rod can be configured to be a telescoping hollow rod that is permitted to extend and collapse on itself for more convenient storage and transport options.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/087,583, Filed Nov. 22, 2013, the contents of which areincorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

BACKGROUND

Various outdoor and indoor activities incorporate and are centeredaround an open source of fire, from log bonfires to wood burning stoves.As the popularity of hiking and camping and other recreationalactivities increase, more individuals will be utilizing open fires, likelog fueled fires, to provide heat for cooking and warmth, among otherthings. Outdoor tailgates at football and other sporting events ofteninclude charcoal barbeque grills. Indoor fireplaces that are fueled, atleast in part, by wooden logs or the equivalent, as well as the types ofoutdoor fires mentioned, require to be properly ignited and maintained.

Proper ignition and maintenance of a log or charcoal fire, or theequivalent, can include providing enough air to circulate oxygen andfuel areas of the fire while it kindles. Other ways to maintain a campor cook fire include rearranging the material fueling the combustion sothat air can be more evenly and efficiently circulated around theburning matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various features and advantages of the invention will become apparentfrom the following description of embodiments of the invention, given byway of example only, which is made with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustrating an embodiment of the fire stoking andpoking system;

FIG. 2A illustrates a system operable according to embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2B illustrates a system that retracts via a telescoping hollow rod,and operable according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2C illustrates a system that extends via a telescoping hollow rod,and operable according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F, 3G, 3H, 3I, 3J, 3K, 3L, 3M, and 3N areschematic diagrams illustrating embodiments of a fire stoking and pokingsystem including a design theme; and

FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram showing a method of providing oxygen toa fire while rearranging the burning combustible matter of the fire.

SUMMARY

An example of the current techniques includes a system for stoking afire with air and arranging materials in a fire. The stoking and pokingsystem includes an air flow generator connected to a power source. Thesystem also includes a hollow rod connected to the air flow generator,wherein the hollow rod is configured to conduct air sent from the airflow generator at an outlet or number of outlets of the hollow rod.

Another example includes a method for stoking a fire and rearrangingcombustible matter in a fire. The method includes generating a flow ofair at an air flow generator, and flowing the flow of air from the airflow generator through a hollow rod that is connected to the air flowgenerator at a near end of the hollow rod. The method also includesstoking a fire with a far end of the hollow rod, wherein the far end ofthe hollow rod is configured to outlet the flow of air generated by theair flow generator. The method discloses altering a position ofcombustible matter in the fire with the far end of the hollow rod whilethe flow of air is conducted through an outlet of the hollow rod.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides systems and techniques for stoking andpoking combustible material in a fire. Exemplary embodiments of thecurrent system include providing air and oxygen to select areas of afire while simultaneously rearranging the combustible particles intopreferred positions. Through the system disclosed herein, a user is ableto prod the constituent matter of the fire and reposition material fordesired burning, while air is being conducted at certain areas of thefire. The system can be made from a hollow metal rod or a similarstructure that is configured to be resistant, at least in part, todamage from fire and excessive heat.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustrating an embodiment of the fire stoking andpoking system 100. The system 100 is configured to attach an air flowgenerator 102 to a hollow rod 104 at a point of attachment/detachment106, so the hollow rod 104 can be disconnected from the air flowgenerator 102 when preferred. The hollow rod 104 can be configured toinclude a handle 108. The air flow generator 102 can be a batterypowered blower, a fan system including an electric motor and a fanconnected to a rotatable shaft of the electric motor (not shown). Theair flow generator 102 can include an “On/Off” switch 110 that may betoggled to start or stop generating a flow of air.

The air flow generator 102 can be housed by a housing. The housing ofthe air flow generator 102 can include a handle 112, as the hollow rod104 can include a handle 108, for safer and easier use of the system100. The hollow rod 104 can include a hook 114 as shown in the exemplaryembodiment in FIG. 1, or a prong structure that is effective at movingburning wood, as embodied by another example. The hook 114 permits auser to more effectively break-up and relocate burning material in afire. The air flow generator 102, together with the hook 114 and durablehollow rod 104, create an effective tool for a user to stoke a flamewith oxygen provided by air generated by the air flow generator 102. Thegenerated air is configured to be conducted through an outlet ormultiple outlets at the end of the hollow rod 104.

FIG. 2A illustrates a system 200 operable according to embodiments ofthe present invention. The system 200 shows how the hollow rod 204 isconfigured to be telescoping, and is able to collapse into a compactedposition 220 or extend into an extended position 222. The poking andstoking system 200 is configured to attach an air flow generator 202 toa hollow telescoping rod 204 at a point of attachment/detachment 206.Thus, the hollow telescoping rod 204 can simply be connected anddisconnected from the air flow generator 202 when preferred, and thetelescoping rod 204 retreated to meet compact storage needs.

The hollow telescoping rod 204 can be made of a series of hollow rods ofprogressively smaller diameters. The hollow rods of various diameter arecoupled at various diameter sleeves 208 along the hollow telescoping rod204. The hollow rods of various diameter can extend and retract and theorientation of the diameter sleeves 208 will dictate where the variouspoints of expansion and retraction may occur. When fully extended, thehollow telescoping rod 204 can optionally be configured to lock in theextended position, adding to the durability and ensuring the desiredrepositioning functionality.

The hollow telescoping rod 204 can be lightweight, and can be configuredto include a handle 210. The air flow generator 202 can be a fan systemincluding an electric motor and a fan connected to a rotatable shaft ofthe electric motor (not shown). The air flow generator 202 can bepowered from a variety of sources, including a standard lithium oralkaline battery, or other types of batteries, an electrical connectionvia a power cord and energized electrical outlet, or even a batteryconfigured to store energy generated by solar or wind power. The airflow generator 202 can include an “On/Off” switch 210. The switch 210can be toggled by a user to start or stop generating a flow of air. Thefan of the air flow generator 202 can optionally be a variable speedfan, and an additional switch (not shown) for controlling the speed ofthe fan can also be implemented.

The air flow generator 202 can be housed by a housing. The housing ofthe air flow generator 202 can optionally include a handle 212, and thehollow rod 204 can include a handle 210, for more safe and easy use ofthe poking and stoking system 200. The hollow telescoping rod 204 caninclude a hook 216 as shown in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 2. Thehook 216 permits a user to more effectively break-up and relocateburning material in a fire. The hollow telescoping rod 204 must beconfigured to withstand damage from flames and excessive heat. Thetelescoping hollow rod 204 is also configured to be strong enough towithstand the force of repositioning combustible materials, like woodenlogs, in a fire without the fully-extended rod 204 bending or breaking.

The air flow generator 202, together with the hook 214 and durabletelescoping hollow rod 204, create an effective tool for a user to stokea flame with oxygen provided by air generated at the air flow generator202. Air that is generated is configured to be conducted through anoutlet 218 at the end of the hollow telescoping rod 204. There can beone or more than one outlet 218 at the end of the hollow telescoping rod204 where the generated air is directed to flow out. The generated airmay fuel the flames of a fire while the hook 214 or prong at the end ofthe hollow telescoping rod 204 can prod material into desired positions.Furthermore, the telescoping design of the hollow rod 204, in additionto the attachment/detachment interface 206, allows users to convenientlybreak down, and more easily store and carry the poking and stokingsystem 200. The end of the hollow rod can be pointed as indicated formore effective poking and moving of materials. The air from the air flowgenerator 202 can still flow out of the far end of the hollow rod 204,but will exit through an outlet 218 upstream of the pointed end.

The system 200 described herein is useful for individuals on the move,and with limited space for packing a conventional device for firemaintenance. The system 200 is configured to advantageously maintain anon-gas lit fire, whether burning indoors outdoors, by stoking someareas and materials while simultaneously pulling and prodding aroundother areas and materials of the fire.

FIG. 2B illustrates a system 200 that retracts via a telescoping hollowrod, and operable according to embodiments of the present invention. Thefigure shows how only a small amount of space 220 is occupied by thehollow telescoping rod when the rod has been retracted into its mostcompact position. The hollow telescoping rod 204 is configured to attachand detach from the air flow generator 202 for easy storage andaccessibility.

FIG. 2C illustrates a system 200 that extends via a telescoping hollowrod, and operable according to embodiments of the present invention. Thefigure indicates the extended length 222 of the hollow telescoping rod204. When the system 200 is in this extended position 222, someembodiments of the claimed method and system can be utilized, i.e.,poking and rearranging of burning matter while simultaneously stokingthe flame. In both FIGS. 2B and 2C, the handle 210 is facing in adownward direction, in the same plane as the air flow generator. Also,both these figures show a hook 216 that is oriented in the downposition.

The schematic of FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C is not intended to indicate thatthe system 200 is to include all of the components shown in FIGS. 2A, 2Band 2C. Further, any number of additional components may be includedwithin the system 200, depending on the details of the specificimplementation. For example, additional hooks or air flow outlets can beincluded to achieve the desired stoking and poking of the combustiblematerial of a fire.

FIG. 3A is a schematic illustrating an embodiment of a fire stoking andpoking system 300 including a design theme. The design theme can be acustom-made design theme functioning as a housing for the system 300.Like-numbered components can be described, for example, with respect toFIG. 1. The system 300 of FIG. 3A illustrates a baseball-themed outercasing 301 that surrounds the air flow generator 102. The outer casing301 can be in the shape and style of a baseball, while functioning as arigid exterior for the air flow generator 102 and system 300.

FIG. 3B illustrates a system 300 that extends and retracts via atelescoping hollow rod, includes a design theme, and is operableaccording to embodiments of the present invention. Like-numberedcomponents can be described, for example, with respect to FIG. 2. Thesystem 300 of FIG. 3B illustrates a baseball-themed outer casing 302that surrounds the air flow generator 202. The outer casing 302 can bein the shape and style of a baseball, while functioning as a rigidexterior for the air flow generator 202 and system 300.

FIG. 3C is a schematic illustrating an embodiment of a fire stoking andpoking system 300 including a design theme. Like-numbered components canbe described, for example, with respect to FIG. 1. The system 300 ofFIG. 3C illustrates a football-themed outer casing 303 that surroundsthe air flow generator 102. The outer casing 303 can be in the shape andstyle of a football, while functioning as a rigid exterior for the airflow generator 102 and system 300.

FIG. 3D illustrates a system 300 that extends and retracts via atelescoping hollow rod, includes a design theme, and is operableaccording to embodiments of the present invention. Like-numberedcomponents can be described, for example, with respect to FIG. 2. Thesystem 300 of FIG. 3D illustrates a football-themed outer casing 304that surrounds the air flow generator 202. The outer casing 304 can bein the shape and style of a football, while functioning as a rigidexterior for the air flow generator 202 and system 300.

FIG. 3E is a schematic illustrating an embodiment of a fire stoking andpoking system 300 including a design theme. Like-numbered components canbe described, for example, with respect to FIG. 1. The system 300 ofFIG. 3E illustrates a soccer-themed outer casing 305 that surrounds theair flow generator 102. The outer casing 305 can be in the shape andstyle of a soccer ball, while functioning as a rigid exterior for theair flow generator 102 and system 300.

FIG. 3F illustrates a system 300 that extends and retracts via atelescoping hollow rod, includes a design theme, and is operableaccording to embodiments of the present invention. Like-numberedcomponents can be described, for example, with respect to FIG. 2. Thesystem 300 of FIG. 3F illustrates a soccer-themed outer casing 306 thatsurrounds the air flow generator 202. The outer casing 306 can be in theshape and style of a soccer ball, while functioning as a rigid exteriorfor the air flow generator 202 and system 300.

FIG. 3G is a schematic illustrating an embodiment of a fire stoking andpoking system 300 including a design theme. Like-numbered components canbe described, for example, with respect to FIG. 1. The system 300 ofFIG. 3G illustrates a basketball-themed outer casing 307 that surroundsthe air flow generator 102. The outer casing 307 can be in the shape andstyle of a basketball, while functioning as a rigid exterior for the airflow generator 102 and system 300.

FIG. 3H illustrates a system 300 that extends and retracts via atelescoping hollow rod, includes a design theme, and is operableaccording to embodiments of the present invention. Like-numberedcomponents can be described, for example, with respect to FIG. 2. Thesystem 300 of FIG. 3H illustrates a basketball-themed outer casing 308that surrounds the air flow generator 202. The outer casing 308 can bein the shape and style of a basketball, while functioning as a rigidexterior for the air flow generator 202 and system 300.

FIG. 3I is a schematic illustrating an embodiment of a fire stoking andpoking system 300 including a design theme. Like-numbered components canbe described, for example, with respect to FIG. 1. The system 300 ofFIG. 3I illustrates a football-themed outer casing 309 that surroundsthe air flow generator 102. The outer casing 309 can be in the shape andstyle of a football helmet, while functioning as a rigid exterior forthe air flow generator 102 and system 300.

FIG. 3J illustrates a system 300 that extends and retracts via atelescoping hollow rod, includes a design theme, and is operableaccording to embodiments of the present invention. Like-numberedcomponents can be described, for example, with respect to FIG. 2. Thesystem 300 of FIG. 3J illustrates a football-themed outer casing 310that surrounds the air flow generator 202. The outer casing 310 can bein the shape and style of a football helmet, while functioning as arigid exterior for the air flow generator 202 and system 300.

FIG. 3K is a schematic illustrating an embodiment of a fire stoking andpoking system 300 including a design theme. Like-numbered components canbe described, for example, with respect to FIG. 1. The system 300 ofFIG. 3K illustrates a hockey-themed outer casing 311 that surrounds theair flow generator 102. The outer casing 311 can be in the shape andstyle of a hockey puck, while functioning as a rigid exterior for theair flow generator 102 and system 300.

FIG. 3L illustrates a system 300 that extends and retracts via atelescoping hollow rod, includes a design theme, and is operableaccording to embodiments of the present invention. Like-numberedcomponents can be described, for example, with respect to FIG. 2. Thesystem 300 of FIG. 3L illustrates a hockey-themed outer casing 312 thatsurrounds the air flow generator 202. The outer casing 312 can be in theshape and style of a hockey puck, while functioning as a rigid exteriorfor the air flow generator 202 and system 300.

FIG. 3M is a schematic illustrating an embodiment of a fire stoking andpoking system 300 including a design theme. Like-numbered components canbe described, for example, with respect to FIG. 1. The system 300 ofFIG. 3M illustrates a racecar-themed outer casing 311 that surrounds theair flow generator 102. The outer casing 313 can be in the shape andstyle of a stock car or racing vehicle, while functioning as a rigidexterior for the air flow generator 102 and system 300.

FIG. 3N illustrates a system 300 that extends and retracts via atelescoping hollow rod, includes a design theme, and is operableaccording to embodiments of the present invention. Like-numberedcomponents can be described, for example, with respect to FIG. 2. Thesystem 300 of FIG. 3N illustrates a racecar-themed outer casing 314 thatsurrounds the air flow generator 202. The outer casing 312 can be in theshape and style of a stock car or racing vehicle, while functioning as arigid exterior for the air flow generator 202 and system 300.

The schematics of FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F, 3G, 3H, 3I, 3J, 3K, 3L,3M, and 3N are not intended to indicate that the system 300 is toinclude all of the components shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F, 3G,3H, 3I, 3J, 3K, 3L, 3M, and 3N. Further, any number of additionalcomponents may be included within the system 300, depending on thedetails of the specific implementation. For example, various additionalthemes can be used as functional housings for an air flow generator thatare aesthetically pleasing. Custom-made design themes can also be usedas examples for an outer casing of the fire poking and stoking systemdescribed herein.

FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram showing a method of providing oxygen toa fire while rearranging the burning combustible matter of that fire.The method for stoking a fire and repositioning combustible matter in afire 400 begins at block 402, where a flow of air is generated at an airflow generator. The air flow generator can be a fan connected to arotatable shaft of an electric motor, and the electric motor can receiveelectrical power from a variety of different sources. The air flowgenerator effectively pumps oxygen to a fire to stoke combustion wherethe air flow is directed.

The method 400 continues at block 404, when air from the air flowgenerator is flowed through a hollow rod that is connected to the airflow generator at a near end of the hollow rod. The near end of thehollow rod is configured to readily attach and detach from a point ofattachment found on the housing of the air flow generator. The fan orblower connected to the electric motor is configured to pump air fromthe near end of the hollow rod to an outlet at the far end of the hollowrod.

At block 406, a fire is stoked with the far end of the hollow rod,wherein the far end of the hollow rod is configured to outlet the flowof air generated by the air flow generator. There can be a single outletor there can be multiple outlets at the end of the hollow rod. An outletat the far end of the hollow rod is configured to conduct a concentratedstream of air and oxygen pumped from the near end of the hollow rod tofuel a particular area of a fire.

At block 408, the position or placement of combustible matter in thefire is altered by using the far end of the hollow rod while the flow ofair is conducted through an outlet of the hollow rod. The hollow rodshould be structurally configured to endure, without significantbending, the force and stress associated with altering, prodding, orrepositioning heavy combustible matter in a fire, such as a wooden log.The hollow rod can optionally be aligned telescopically, wherein thehollow rod is configured to extend and collapse on itself, therebysaving space while maintaining functionality. The hollow rod can also beconfigured to include a hook or a prong mechanism at the far end of thehollow rod, making the task of arranging the combustible material in afire more simple and effective.

The process flow diagram of FIG. 4 is not intended to indicate that thesteps of the method 400 are to be executed in any particular order, orthat all of the steps of the method 400 are to be included in everycase. Further, any number of additional steps not shown in FIG. 4 may beincluded within the method 400, depending on the details of the specificimplementation.

While the present techniques may be susceptible to various modificationsand alternative forms, the embodiments discussed above have been shownonly by way of example. However, it should again be understood that thetechniques are not intended to be limited to the particular embodimentsdisclosed herein. Indeed, the present techniques include allalternatives, modifications, and equivalents falling within the truespirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for stoking and arranging materials in afire, comprising: an air flow generator connected to a power source; anda hollow rod connected to the air flow generator, wherein the hollow rodis configured to conduct air sent from the air flow generator at anoutlet of the hollow rod.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the powersource that is connected to the air flow generator comprises a battery.3. The system of claim 1, wherein the power source that is connected tothe air flow generator comprises a power cord and electrical plugconfigured to plug into an electrical socket that is electricallyenergized.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the hollow rod is furtherconfigured to attach and detach from the air flow generator.
 5. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the hollow rod further comprises a hookattached at the end of the rod furthest from the air flow generator. 6.The system of claim 1, wherein the hollow rod is further configured as atelescoping hollow rod.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein thetelescoping hollow rod further comprises a hook at the end of the rodfurthest from the air flow generator.
 8. The system of claim 6, whereinthe telescoping hollow rod further comprises a handle at the end of therod closest to the air flow generator.
 9. The system of claim 6, whereinthe telescoping hollow rod is configured to extend into an extendedposition and to collapse into a compacted position.
 10. The system ofclaim 6, wherein the telescoping hollow rod is configured to stoke afire with air generated by the air flow generator, and furthercomprising a locking mechanism configured to lock the telescoping hollowrod when extended in an extended position.
 11. The system of claim 6,wherein the telescoping hollow rod is configured to withstand the forceof positioning and repositioning combustible matter of a fire.
 12. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein the telescoping hollow rod is configured toposition and reposition logs in a fire while the air flow generator isgenerating air that is conducted at the logs in the fire through anoutlet in the telescoping hollow rod.
 13. The system of claim 1, whereinthe air flow generator is housed by a housing, and further comprises ahandle connected to the housing of the air flow generator.
 14. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the air flow generator comprises an electricmotor and a fan connected to a rotatable shaft of the electric motor.15. The system of claim 1, wherein the air flow generator is configuredto generate air when a control switch is toggled on, and configured tostop generating air when a control switch is toggled off.
 16. The systemof claim 1, wherein the hollow rod is comprises outlet holesconcentrated at the end furthest from the air flow generator, whereinthe outlet holes are configured to conduct air from the air flowgenerator around.
 17. The system of claim 13, wherein the housing forthe air flow generator is comprised of a design theme.
 18. The system ofclaim 17, wherein the design theme comprises a sports-related theme. 19.The system of claim 18, wherein the sports-related theme comprises abaseball design, a football design, a football helmet design, abasketball design, a soccer ball design, a hockey puck design, or aracecar design.
 20. The system of claim 17, wherein the design themecomprises a custom-made design.
 21. A method for stoking a fire andrearranging combustible matter in a fire, comprising: generating a flowof air at an air flow generator; flowing the flow of air from the airflow generator through a hollow rod that is connected to the air flowgenerator at a near end of the hollow rod; stoking a fire with a far endof the hollow rod, wherein the far end of the hollow rod is configuredto outlet the flow of air generated by the air flow generator; andaltering a position of combustible matter in the fire with the far endof the hollow rod while the flow of air is conducted through an outletof the hollow rod.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the flow of airis generated by an electric motor and a fan connected to a rotatableshaft of the electric motor.
 23. The method of claim 21, wherein thehollow rod is configured to extend and collapse on itself.
 24. Themethod of claim 21, wherein the hollow rod is configured to include ahook or a prong mechanism at the far end of the hollow rod.
 25. Themethod of claim 22, wherein the electric motor is housed by acustom-made design theme.